Blissful Afternoon

[Smokeleaf]

ooc: I'm sorry. I'm impatient. Nothing was happening on the old thread, and we had talked about making a new one, so here it is. Delete it if you like, return to the old plot, I don't care. I'm in a writing mood.
Plus, I'm starting in the late morning/early afternoon so we don't have to waste a year writing the whole "I woke up. I walked outside. This many cats were awake. Hello, cat! How are you today? Nice weather we're having..."
bic:

Little brown ears flicked and eyes scanned the camp. Cats were bustling this way and that, hustling to meet the Clan's requirements. Oakears snarled, knowing there were several more across the territory, off on their stupid patrols where they could "best serve the Clan." Of course, he was all for helping his Clan mates, but most of the mouse brains were hunting, and that could only mean trouble.
He stepped down from his post and started to pad around the clearing. On his route, he conveniently passed by the fresh-kill pile, which only strengthened his anger. Yes, it was full, but of what? Birds! His lovely little beauties, with their elegant wings and flowing tails and feathers so light you couldn't even feel them when they touched your delicate whiskers...
Dead.
Oakears huffed angrily, snapping his head in the other direction so he wouldn't have to look at the atrocity. Why couldn't they hunt the homely things, like mice and other little hurry-scurries? Why did they have to suck the life out of every last robin and dove? Why did they have to suck the life out of him?
He knew it was a necessary action, that his Clan mates came first and they were only doing what they needed to survive, and that he should be grateful. Still, it wasn't like every vole had just gone up in smoke. They could just as easily catch one of those. But, no. Beauty over beast, he supposed.

Whiteash was just as upset.
For Whiteash, however, that was normal.
"No, don't touch that!"
"Hurry along. There are things to be done!"
"Get away from that fresh-kill, mousebrain! There are kits to feed! Go out and hunt yourself, if you're that hungry!"
Releasing a heavy sigh, the white-and-gray cat retired to the shade and watched the cats go by from his peaceful sanctuary. Lovers frolicked; kits pounced; elders passed the day away with laughs and stories and songs of old. Whiteash hated singing, but even he was calmed by the soothing melodies.
What a truly blissful afternoon. He had spent the morning on a little hunting patrol, and had caught himself a couple of good birds. He wasn't much fond of the feathers that got lodged down his throat (they made him cough), but they sure were an ego-booster. Only a real warrior could pounce as high as he could! He purred, knowing he was the best cat in the Clan.
A happy sigh escaped his throat, which he always preferred over those of stress. He wasn't fond of stress at all. Thankfully, there was very little in StreamClan. Unless that nutcase Oakears was off on another tirade, there was very little to worry about.
He frowned, knowing this was a lie. The sudden disappearance of Addertooth and Rowanfur had taken quite a toll on the Clan, and surely Falconheart, their brother, felt the worst of them all. Why did bad things happen to good cats? Whiteash would never understand.
Thankfully, that was a rare experience. At the end of the day, cats went to sleep full and merry in StreamClan, and with the sun shining warmly on their fur and hardly a care in the world, this was certainly the makings of a blissful afternoon.

[Nightpool]

"I'm leader! I'm leader!" Rosekit's voice echoed off the cavern walls as she jumped up on a small rock.

"Aw, no fair! I wanted to be leader!" The golden-brown tom-kit that was her brother pouted. Rosekit merely glanced at him smugly, with a "I got here first, so I get to be leader" look.

Rosekit glanced around, and started speaking. "I, Rosestar, call 'together all my most trusted warriors. Falconclaw, step forward." Falconkit stepped forward, obviously still a little sullen that he wasn't leader. "You have been a loyal deputy for many moons," she shot him a glare, as if to say, happy now? From the look of it, he was a little happier. She then turned to her sister. "Shiningsoul, you have been a clever warrior since you graduated from being an apprentice." The little silver she-kit puffed up with pride, her blue eyes ecstatic.

She then turned to her last siblings, a gray-furred tom-kit. "Gray-" He interrupted her quickly. "I'm not playing."

Rosekit scowled. "Why not?"

Graykit sniffed disdainfully. "We'll be apprentices soon, maybe even tomorrow. We should stop acting like kits."

Rosekit shook her head. "You've got it the wrong way around!" she told him. "It's one our last days as kits, we should be acting like kits because we'll never get to again!" When Graykit, didn't respond, she just turned away. "Fine, you're warrior name can be Graymeanie."

Nightpool stepped out of her den, sighing deeply. Cadentpaw had a cold, and had decided to stay inside sleeping today. The poor thing had told her that she would probably be up and about tomorrow, and just needed a days rest.

Nightpool had allowed her to stay in, and told her to relax as much as she needed and to call her if she needed anything. In the meantime, she had other cats to take care of. Like Goldstar, who's joints ached even more today. She could see his graying pelt relaxing under the tree that was his den. She padded over to him, a bundle of herbs in her mouth.

[/size]

[Smokeleaf]

After having made himself as irritable as possible, Oakears decided it was time to leave camp. He peered around to make sure no cat was following him (particularly the kits, who had just begun to play), then trotted into the territory as inconspicuously as he could. Today was a good day, very warm, very pleasant. He hadn't seen many of his friends during the leaf-bare; the cold weather scared them away, but they always returned for newleaf. Hopefully, he was right on time for their arrival, and he looked forward to singing with his old chums.

"I'm leader! I'm leader!"
A shrill sound pierced Whiteash's aging ears, and he looked up angrily. "Darn kits," he grumbled, debating whether he should let them be or make an issue. With a sigh, he turned his head to try relax, but his ears defied him, and eagerly absorbed their every word.
From what he could tell, Rosekit, Falconkit, Shiningkit, and Graykit were playing some sort of warrior game. In his oldish age, he'd seen many litters play this silly game, where they fought over positions and whatnot. As long as they didn't get themselves killed, he wouldn't bother them.
He would, however, eavesdrop. A senior warrior deserved to know who would be filling his place, and after his long morning's worth of work, their game might bring some amusement. Pretending to be asleep, he listened intently.


ooc: Haha Graymeanie. That's about as bad as "Berrystumpytail."

[Nightpool]

((Or Jaynoeyes.))

"Graymeanie, for the crime of...of..." Rosekit paused, trying to find a crime. "For the crime of being to mean, you are now banished from ValleyClan." she turned her nose up at him, now ignoring him.

Shiningkit padded up to Graykit, who sat sulking, muttering under his breath. "Don't worry," she whispered to her brother. "She'll get over it soon enough. You know how Rosekit is," she laughed a little before running back to her other two siblings.

Humph! I'll show her! I'll learn a really cool warrior move while they're off playing like kits! Then I'll be able to protect Shiningkit! Graykit perked up a little at the idea. He should practice his stalking skills! Seeing Oakears leaving camp, he pressed his belly to the ground and stalked after him, his plumy tail dragging on the ground.

Rosekit, in the meantime, was giving out orders to her "warriors". "Falconclaw, go to the border and search for those horrible rogues!" she meowed regally. Falconkit turned tail and raced toward the small stream, where he was promptly tackled to the ground by Shiningkit. "Eat dirt, despicable rogue!" he cried out, and the two tumbled in a whirl of batting paws and bared teeth until they crashed right into resting Whiteash.

[/size]

[Smokeleaf]

Oakears was completely unaware that he had picked up a hitch-hiker. Instead, he stayed close to the shadows until he was sure he was out of sight (or, at least, out of mind), then picked up the pace and trotted into the trees. "Robins, jays, flying friends," he sang, "I am here to make amends. Winter came, then back you flew. I am here to welcome you. Put away your fears. Here am I, Oakears." Then, just for show, he whistled a bit and settled himself down in the cool shade, preparing for a wonderful afternoon alone.

"Jumping Jehosaphat!"
Whiteash practically leapt out of his fur. Even though he was feigning sleep, he was not prepared for an attack by two near-apprentices. After a moment of shaking, he snarled at them, then sat down again and licked his paw haughtily.
"Playing as usual?" he mewed coldly, barely seeing the two kits because his nose was raised so high. "You really ought to watch where you were going. You could have put me in my grave, or even yourselves. I don't care how high and mighty you think you are, that stream could carry you away if it got the chance." He wasn't sure if that was true, but he was quite a fan of the scare tactic, and it was always worth trying. "And anyway, why are you still behaving like kits? You're to be apprentices soon, are you not? You should be showing the Clan what you can do, and proving you deserve the title!" Not that 'apprentice' was a very lofty name, but it was better than 'kit,' he thought. "Well? What have you to say for yourselves?"

[Nightpool]

Gee, where was the old geezer going? Graykit scowled, trying to remain quiet as he weaved in and out through the bushes. This stalking stuff was harder than it looked! There were several times when he almost tripped over a fallen branch, or even a small stone, and barely managed to keep quiet. However, Oakears finally stopped, and Graykit hid himself in a set of bushes, waiting. He scowled a little at the elder's declaration. How did he learn to rhyme and sing that well? Though Graykit was still young and his voice was undeveloped, he didn't think he'd ever be able to sing that well.

Who was he talking to, anyways? The birds? How weird. Just as he was talking, a sparrow landed a couple of tail-lengths in front of him. He bent closer to the ground, wiggling his haunches. He would be sure to impress the warriors if he caught something before he was even apprenticed! He crept slowly forward.

However, the sparrow was only there for a moment. It ruffled its feathers before taking off again, scattering fluffy white down everywhere. One piece of fluff landed on his nose.

Oh, no. He wouldn't sneeze. He wouldn't sneeze.

Ah...Ah...Ah...

Oh good, he didn't sneeze.

ACHOO!

Shiningkit and Falconkit immediately leaped apart, surprised by Whiteash. They dipped their heads and shuffled their paws, ashamed. How embarrassing! To be caught playing right before becoming apprentices!

Rosekit, on the other hand, did not have to experience the awkwardness of the moment. She was completely oblivious to it. With a cry of, "Look at that rogue! He's huge!" She jumped at him in an attempt to bowl him over. Maybe she could get him to play with them!

[/size]

[Smokeleaf]

"Who's there?!?"
Oakears leapt to his feet, scanning his surroundings. He held his nose to the air and drew in a long sniff. He couldn't quite recognize the scent, but it was StreamClan. Whoever it was was either brand new or very young, but only one option applied.
He tried to swallow his fury as he called out, "Come here, kit. You shouldn't be out of camp. I don't know what you're doing, but if you don't show yourself, you can bet your apprentice ceremony is farther off than you think."


This time, Whiteash was ready. As soon as the kit ran into him, he dropped to his stomach, flipped over, and rolled out of the way. Then he stood back up and sniffed haughtily. "As if it isn't bad enough that I'm assaulted accidentally, you have to come out and attack me straightforward! What are you thinking?"
He knew exactly what they were thinking; this was potentially their last day as kits, and they wanted to get in as much fun as they could. He could remember the feeling quite well, even though he would never admit it. They were strong kits, anyway--all three of them had just now proved it--and would make very fine warriors, when the time came. None of them would be allowed to play like this again, and if his premonition held any truth, then they deserved one last game.
His eyes shifted back and forth to make sure no cat was watching, then he bent back on his haunches. "Oh, no, you don't!" he cried, almost whispering so as not to gain attention. "Rosestar, Shiningsoul, and Falconclaw! You'll never take me alive!"
And then he braced himself for impact.

[Nightpool]

Graykit froze. Oh, no. He was dead. Oakears would rip his throat out, or worse, delay his apprentice ceremony. However, it seemed more likely that these two would happen if he didn't reveal himself so, slowly, he stepped out of the bushes.

"Sorry," he murmured. "I wanted to try tracking..."

Rosekit skidded to the ground, landing on all fours but skidding up a bit of dust. She shook her head, trying to clear it from her ears, eyes, and nose. She turned back to Whiteash, a little sorry for trying to tackle him, but not regretting her attempts to get them out of trouble. However, she dipped her head and stared at her paws, like her siblings, the picture of shame.

At the mention of playing with them, all three squealed in delight. Shiningkit quickly darted around Whiteash to pounce on his tail, in hopes of holding him there, while Rosekit and Falconkit tackled him, Rosekit from in front, Falconkit from his right.

[/size]

[Smokeleaf]

Oakears heaved a sigh, got to his paws, and padded over to the kit.
"Graykit, right?" He was about to ask what he was doing out of camp, but realized he'd already answered his question, and searched for something else to say. "I appreciate your honesty, but you cannot leave until you're an apprentice. There are dangerous things out here, and until you learn to defend yourself--and I mean defend, not prance about like an idiot--you're supposed to stay where the warriors can watch over you.
"Now, I should claw your eyes out, for more reasons than you know, but I'm going to let you off easy. I won't tell anyone about your little escapade, alright? But I'm in no mood to escort you back to camp, so either you go by yourself, or you set yourself down and wait for me to finish up. Just know that the first option is risky, and I won't have a guilty conscience now that I've warned you."

An involuntary cry left his throat as the kits piled on top of Whiteash. He successfully resisted the urge to unsheath his claws and instead batted the kits lightly with his paws. He rolled slightly, being careful not to squish or suffocate anyone, and wagged his tail in an attempt to dislodge Shiningkit without throwing her halfway across camp. This playing stuff was hard!
"Where's your brother?" he puffed, still wiggling under their weight. "Why isn't he playing with you?"

ooc: You don't have enough mentors yet, do you?

[Nightpool]

((*sigh* No...))

Graykit narrowed his blue eyes in displeasure. This old elder, probably too frail to hunt for himself anymore, was telling him that he was prancing around like an idiot? On top of that, he was telling him what to do? He must be crazy! Well, he supposed that it must be true. After all, he caught him sitting here talking to himself, or who knows who. It would serve him right if Graykit went back to camp and was eaten by a fox or something! Then he'd be sorry!

However, Graykit was far from mouse-brained. He had no desire to side early on, no suicidal tendencies or death wishes. So, he lay out on the grass like a good kit, though he included some grumbling, and waited for Oakears to finish...whatever he was doing.

Shiningkit squealed when she was shaken loose from Whiteash's tail, rolling a couple of tail-lengths before popping up to join the playing once more, obviously unharmed. Rosekit was preoccupied with play-fighting, balancing up on her hind legs to bat at the older warrior's muzzle. Falconkit, however, stepped back for a moment, panting a little, to answer his question.

"Graymeanie thinks that we're acting like kits. He always acts like he's already an apprentice! He's so stuck-up!"

Shiningkit paused from attacking Whiteash's tail once more to shoot back at Falconkit, "Graykit isn't stuck-up! He's just...just..." she struggles to find the right words.

Nightpool glanced over as the sound of a scuffle broke out. It always worried her to hear fighting. After all, it was her duty to worry about it as a medicine cat. However, it was just Whiteash playing with the kits.

Wait. Whiteash was playing? Trying to pretend she wasn't looking, she glanced from the corner of her eyes. Yes, it was true. The great Whiteash had swallowed his pride and was playing. Unfortunately for her, he and the kits were directly between herself and Goldstar. She had to find a way around them, so not to disappoint the kits and bruise poor Whiteash's pride. Pretending she didn't see them, she skirted the ground they were playing on, hoping they didn't notice her.

[/size]

[Smokeleaf]

ooc: My guilty conscience is slowly getting the better of me.
bic:

The light brown elder tipped his head and mewed, "Thank you."
Then, he resumed his vigil, watching the birds intently.
"Isn't it beautiful?" he asked the little gray kit, sighing contentedly. "With her sharp little talons that look so delicate, and wings that allow her to soar high above our heads? I've thought of flying many times. Many, many times." He licked his fur self-conciously, sure that the kit could see his scars. He hadn't gotten those from battle. "I wish I was a bird," he mused softly, then glanced over at his companion and purred. Graykit wasn't interested in any of this nonsense! Kits wanted to play, and fight, and learn! Looking at him, the elder realized how old the little thing was.
"You're to be an apprentice soon, correct?" he asked, hoping to make conversation. "Tomorrow, I heard. Are you excited? Graypaw--that sounds like a nice name, doesn't it? I'd like to see what your warrior name will be. Have you thought about your mentor at all? I mean, who'd you like to have? You can tell me, you know," he added. "I won't tell a soul anything. It's just between you, me, and the birds."

"Well, I give him kudos on maturity," Whiteash said, panting. "However, he's a bit too early. See, you're immature, and he's premature, but when it comes down to it, I'd rather you be the former. Premature kits turn sour. Age as you're supposed to, however annoying the process might be."
He snorted, then flicked his tail at Rosekit, who hadn't said a word since they'd began, and then did the same to Shiningkit while his paw reached out and whapped Falconkit's tail. That was when Whiteash noticed the extra set of paws.

[Nightpool]

((Oh NO, it's FINE. I don't mind AT ALL. *is obviously trying to send you on a guilt trip* Just kidding. Anyways, you're already playing one of the mentors.))

Graykit just shrugged about the birds. He had never really thought of them as anything other than prey, something to eat, though he much preferred fish. He always found birds were a little tough and chewy, and the feathers always tickled his nose, though he used to love to play with them as a kit. Well, as a younger kit, when he hadn't been as clever and great as he was now.

However, as he watched them, he was beginning to see why Oakears loved them. They were rather graceful creatures, weren't they? He had always thought of their swooping and diving as just a bird-like habit, but now he could sort of see that they were almost dancing in and out of the trees and between the leaves. "I suppose...they are rather beautiful," he admitted grudgingly.

Graykit tilted his head as he thought about his upcoming apprenticeship. It was true, Graypaw did have a nice ring to it, though he was sure his warrior name would be better. But his mentor? Who would be his mentor. "It is tomorrow, or at least it's supposed to be," he told the elder. "I'm not really sure who I'd want for a mentor. I mean, I don't want to be mentored by Whiteash, he never really liked me. And Falconheart is...is..." he struggled to find the words. "He doesn't try hard enough, and he doesn't think." In no way was he saying Falconheart was stupid, but he couldn't stand the thought of a mentor who didn't plan before doing something.

Rosekit purred at Whiteash's words. She knew that she was right. Graykit was just being mean! He deserved the name Graymeanie! She jumped as Whiteash flicked his tail at her, avoiding it. Shiningkit, however, had paused, her eyes downcast as she thought of her brother. Poor Graykit! Though he often annoyed her, she loved her brother, and was saddened by Whiteash's reprimand. Because she was distracted, when Whiteash flicked his tail at her, she was swept of her paws, falling with an "Oof!" She quickly stood up again. Falconkit squeaked as his tail was batted at, and he turned to face Whiteash once more. Nightpool continued to pad quietly by, hoping they wouldn't notice her.

[/size]

[Smokeleaf]

ooc: It would be funny to have only two of them apprenticed. Might create a little tension in the family. ( =
If I were smart, I'd make a mentor for Owlpaw. Right now we're all, "He died. Poor, poor Randomcat. Only the good die young..." Owl's good with it, though. Instead of learning, he gets to go around and tick everybody off. Wait, that's Wishpaw's job...
bic:

Oakears purred at his response. While he didn't look happy to say it, Graykit's words seemed to be sincere. However, the elder didn't expect him to change on account of his own quirks. All any cat saw in his friends were food, and while he didn't exactly like it that way, he knew it's what had to be done. Besides, if every cat saw their beauty as much as he did, there wouldn't be any peace in the woods. Or food on the fresh-kill pile, he thought, knowing how easily distracted the young cats could be.
He continued to listen as the kit continued to answer, making sure to nod occasionally and refrain from laughing.
"Yes, Whiteash can be a little... Whiteash-y. But don't think anything of it. He likes everyone, even though he doesn't exactly want you to know it. He's like this dove I met once, that kept flying away every time I got close. I knew it liked me, because it was a bird and I am a bird-lover, but it left just because it could, because it thought it had to. However, I do agree with you. You wouldn't exactly get along like mentor and apprentice should.
"And, yes, Falconheart is a bit impulsive. He, too, is a good cat, but perhaps better suited to one of your litter mates. That's the problem with the mentoring system: the quirks of one cat get passed on to the next. Ah, well. You need a little craziness in the Clan. Whoever you end up with will be right for you, in the long run."

As Nightpool padded past, Whiteash kept as still as possible, letting the kits climb all over him and tug at his fur. He knew he could cover for his silence once the medicine cat was gone, but at the moment, he wanted to stay as inconspicuous as possible. There was no need to get cats gossiping--not about him, anyway.

[[[ShAdYCaUStI]]]

ooc;; if ranks are still the way they are, then Nightpool is still medicinecat and Cadentpaw is still her apprentice, correct? Oh goodie. Can I jump in then? Gosh, I've been gone so long I can't remember who I have where!

[Smokeleaf]

ooc: Of course, you can!